girl gang | Chronic Writer

I love LOVE Autumn. It makes journeys prettier, hot drinks a necessity and a scarf so so cosy. The best thing about being a blogger during Autumn is seeing all the wonderful updates via social media. Pinterest is aglow with burnt oranges and reds, I can’t blink for pumpkin patch pictures and it’s all so great to see everyone trying to win the prize for best Halloween costume! Above, are just a few of the pictures from the past month- but Winter is definitely coming!

Speaking of Autumn, a different Autumn has captured my attention on Twitter. Chronically Chill aka @autumnjduncan has a sharp wit & a fab sense of humour. From one chronically ill lady to another- BRAVO!

I want Michelle Obama to be President. Being from the UK, a lot of the politics across the pond is lost on me as their campaign videos are live during the hours when I’m (usually) sleeping. But this woman’s strength, drive & compassion for American people is not lost on this Brit. I have watched her speech about 4 times now and she gets me every time. What a speech?! Mrs Obama knows how to reach the crowd and hits the nail on the head with every syllable. Some of her speech, I could even use to describe some of my experiences with chronic illness.

Click to watch the First Lady in action

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Megs, who writes the blog ‘Wonderful You’, has written a new blog post. Now, the reason this post is in my October Favourites, is that it is written so honestly and sparing no emotion, there was no way I could NOT include it in this segment. Her post, entitled ‘At the Bottom’, tells of her struggles with low mood and a lack of positivity. Her words are beautifully written and Megs has confessed her experience shortly after World Mental Health Day, Monday 10th October 2016. She has inspired people everywhere to dig deep and take a hard look at their emotions; to realise that admitting this struggle is not a sign of weakness. Since reading this and other articles linked to WMHD, I have been able acknowledge my own failings when it comes to anxiety, stress and self-doubt. Please, do not ignore this important recognition. Visit Wonderful You now.

I am loving Essential Oils lately. I have been having a tough time getting to sleep. I suspect that this has a lot to do with my poor emotional state at the minute. However, I have been determined to find a natural sleep-aid. After speaking with a couple of my Endosisters on Twitter, I decided to invest in an oil burner and some essential oils. I started with Rose Geranium as a family friend of mine used to burn it in her hallway, it was so welcoming and uplifting when I went to visit. I have also ordered Lavender as I have found that Lavender pillow sprays have been very good for instantly calming me, but they don’t tend to last more than 10 minutes or so. I’m going to try a few more & will be writing a review in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Now, as you have probably guessed, I am an Instagram enthusiast. Beyond Pinterest, Insta is my next favourite social media platform. I follow some amazing people, from all over the world, seemingly leading extraordinary lives. But out of them all, my October Favourites are: InspiredtoWrite (Amie) and theyellowhairedgirl.

Amie is a writer whose flat-lays and workspace photos are epic. They spur me into action, with a swift kick, falling out of procrastination mode. She updates every day and it’s always different. She inspires, motivates and her photos are a joy to see.

Theyellowhairedgirl is mentioned in this week’s Grazia UK magazine, so the praise for this recommendation should be theirs. Her posts are funny and individual, which every woman can relate to. Excellent work! Thanks, Grazia.

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Last on my list this month is from my beauty best-buys. Barry M’s Nail Paint in Masquerade and in Twinkle Twinkle is all the glitter ‘N’ gold you’ll need before the Christmas countdown.

Masquerade is coloured glitter polish with hues of pink, blue and gold. I used this atop my favourite black nail polish (Maybelline’s Color Show in 677 Blackout) and was so happy with the result. It lasted a good week and I got lots of compliments (it seemed to make my nails, or the fact I had some, more noticeable!)

Twinkle Twinkle is a beautifully soft gold polish, almost rose gold. Covers the nail with just one coat, and doesn’t take forever to dry. I love the subtlety of this shade, and how feminine it makes me feel. Less is more with this Nail Paint. However, this Barry M colour is a Limited Edition at Superdrug, so get it while you can! I’ll be going back to stock up!

Being a woman is never easy. It doesn’t get any easier no matter how old I get. One of the crappiest things is getting my period.

Unable to control it, we are slaves to our bodies. I will forever be in awe of women that know the exact date their period is due, who still manage to function and look amazing, even whilst their uterus punishes them for not having a baby.

Juan Barquero’s Nudes 07

There are lots of things I dislike about my period. Because of my Endometriosis, my periods mean horrendous cramps and a heavy flow.

At 16, tired of the ick factor surrounding the sanitary towel (I don’t know why they call it that!) and fed up of running to the toilet every 10 minutes during lessons, I swapped to Tampax, ignoring the TSS scare from my mum.

Using tampons immediately eased some of my period anxiety. I felt cleaner, there is nothing worse than physically feeling that ‘bleugh’. I even got the Compact ones which avoided any embarrassment when I, winner of the Clumsy Queen award 2007, dropped my bag, emptying its contents on the classroom floor. Aimee 1, Period 0.

I hate the False Stop. It has happened to me a lot recently. It makes me groan outwardly every single time it happens and I hate it. The False Stop is when you’ve had 12-24 hours of clean pad or dry tampon and not a speck of blood, so you think my period must’ve stopped. You grab your sexy lacy knickers out of your drawer, hiding your white cotton M&S specials until next month. You’ll go out, make plans, maybe even have sex. But, your uterus is just luring you into a false sense of security, setting you up for a cruel joke, that you’ll never find funny. Five minutes in your new knickers, one cocktail down, or mid-sexytime, you’ll get a suspicious something ain’t right feeling.

BAM! Mr Red is back. And his timing is shitty.

My eyes hit heaven and I facepalm… FML. Aimee 1, Mr Red 1.

I hate that I’m forced to carry around essentials and my bag has to be big enough to find my top drawer in it. I look like a Nomad. It’s a nightmare because you can guarantee that the one time I don’t take all this stuff (just in case!) I’ll need it. Although, I do get to buy some pretty beautiful bags. Aimee 2, Mr Red 1.

I never get to buy the sheets I want. I see these awesome Pinterest Homeware pins and sigh in wanting. I have come to understand that I will never own white bed sheets, white towels, white jeans. I only just waver this rule for white cotton pants! And even then, I have tie-dyed a handful of them. It’s just not worth the risk. I’m an accident-waiting-to-happen when it comes to spill-able liquids or foods that stain, and I’m cursed with crappy hormones and periods. Both would ruin white 500-count Egyptian cotton sheets. Aimee 2, Mr Red 2.

As I’ve always tried to be more a ‘the glass is 1/2 full’ type of lass- 50.9% of the UK population are female. And this means that there are approximately 32,555,572 girls and women in the UK right now. And all of them will know the unpleasantness that is menstruation. We’re not alone. Women everywhere & Aimee 3, Mr Red 2.

So far, it looks like I’m winning and I need a win so I think we’ll leave it here for the time being- whilst the odds are ever so slightly in our favour.

Ladies, what do you think is the worst thing about periods?

NOTE:

The art I have used in this post is by French artist Juan Barquero. Please go look at his creations. He is a master artist, his work shows such poetic sensibility. I’m yet to find a painting that describes the way I feel about the weaknesses of my female form with as much clarity.

Chronic Writer

When it rains… Find your Rainbow

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| October Favourites |

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The Worst Thing about Periods

Ladies, what do you think is the worst thing about periods?

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